Katjes International is in exclusive negotiations with CPK, a subsidiary from Eurazeo, about a possible merger.
The majority shareholder of CPK is the French company Eurazeo, which acquired the business in 2017 from Mondelēz International.
At the time, Eurazeo said the transaction with Mondelēz International comprised:
- A portfolio of fully-owned iconic European brands, including Carambar, Poulain, Krema, La Pie Qui Chante and Terry's, as well as the Pastilles Vichy, Rochers Suchard and Malabar bubblegum licenses.
- Five production sites in France (Blois, Marcq-en-Baroeul, Saint-Genest, Strasbourg and Vichy), operated by 750 employees.
- Co-manufacturing agreements with Mondelēz.
Katjes said it hopes the merger would create a new confectionery heavyweight in France. The deal is expected to be finalized in 2018, and the next steps are to inform employee representatives and work with antitrust authorities, the company said.
Specifically, Katjes hopes to merge the French and Belgian business of Katjes International and CPK’s French subsidiary Lutti and its Belgian Continental Sweets Belgium.
Katjes International said the merger moves the company toward becoming a major player in Western European markets through acquisitions and strategic investments.
